California Route 1 or the Pacific Coast Highway, PCH, is probably the most popular Road trip in America, second only to Route 66 crossing the country. The 150km section from Monterey Bay to San Simeon, known as the the Big Sur drive, has the most rugged coastline, the most vistas and is by far the slowest section of Highway to travel. With good reason. Our trip took us over 6 hours to drive with all the stops we made. The PHC was declared the first Scenic State Highway in America in 1965. We start our road trip in Monterey with it's white sandy beaches and world class aquarium . We will head south through Carmel which is well known for holding on to it's 1960's look and attitude. Peace movements Artists and Hippies. Carmel By The Sea with it's big houses built on the cliffs of the Carmel Highlands passing here takes us to the start of the Big Sur drive. The road takes us along the edge of the Santa Lucia Mountain range where it meets the pacific ocean. Rugged cliffs, crashing waves and expansive views wow us as we head to the Redwood groves of Big Sur and the Los Padres National forest. There are plenty of pull outs to stop and admire the coastline and add more time to your trip. If you drive south to north exiting and entering the highway is easier, you will be doing that lots. The Bixby Bridge is one of thirty three bridges built to complete the Pacific Coast Highway. Of them it is the largest, a single span concrete arch more than 80 meters (260 feet) high and 200 meters (700 feet) long crossing Bixby Creek. The Bridge design was chosen because it was more aesthetic and environmentally friendly than other options such as a tunnel. After crossing the Bixby Bridge the terrain will place us closer to the ocean where we see hills covered with Pampas grasses blowing in the wind. The road then heads away from the cliffs through the Redwood forests , Inns and Campsites dot the area. Time is of the essence for us, we have spent a lot more time than we thought traveling the first section of the coast so we motor through this beautiful area only stopping for gas. Strangely gas stations become less frequent and gas becomes more expensive through this area so plan ahead unless you don't mind cleaning your wallet out. Shortly after stopping for gas we hit the coast again.
A few kilometers down the Cabrillo highway is Moonstone Beach Drive, it is packed with motels and is our stopping point for the evening.
1 Comment
9/28/2012 04:26:42 am
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